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KAURI WATCHES

LIMITED EDITION OF 50 PIECES

Since I first studied the craft of watchmaking, I yearned to create a truly original timepiece which would break free of the codified watch market. I wanted to develop an automatic Swiss watch, clad in precious wood.

From this seed grew KAURI (pronounced kaori), named after one of the world’s most ancient trees, a native of New Zealand.

A NEW APPROACH TO THE TRADITIONAL CASE

The design is as follows:

• A “capsule” made from 316L stainless steel, waterproof to 30m, to protect the watch mechanism,
• A polished bezel fronting a skeleton dial, with black or white hands,
• 316L stainless steel strap inserts at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock secure the strap to the waterproof case,
• The octagonal wooden cladding reveals the unique character of each wood,

this watch was designed to harmonise wood and steel into a coherent whole. Its manufacture reflects this, delivering a strong, robust watch which can be easily repaired if necessary.

WHY THE COMBINATION OF STAINLESS STEEL AND PRECIOUS WOOD ?

Each wood is unique, and from the colour to the grain, each has its own distinct character. This is what opensup so many possibilities to the craftsman, who can imbue each watch with character and personality.

The piece of wood is cut to reveal the most interesting parts of the species, which correspond to the design of the watch. The process requires powerful tools: steel-cutting tools are used to ensure the best possible finish on the cut.

Each side is then gently sanded to a flawless finish, before a natural drying oil is applied to develop a beautiful sheen and a stronger, more durable surface.